Edward g



(No Model.)

E. G. FELTHOUSEN.

CHECK VALVE INDICATOR.

No. 258,398. IPatemd May 23, 1882.

WIW/1MM NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD G. FELTHOUSEN, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

CHECK-VALVE INDICATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 258,398, dated May 23, 1882.

Application lled December 13. 1881.

To all 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD G. FEL'rHoUs- EN, ot the city of Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improved Ol1eck-Valve Indicator, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to an improvement 1n check-valves, whereby the operation of the valve is rendered visible. These valves are arranged in conduit-pipes, such as the feedpipes of steam-boilers, lubricators, stills, and of a great variety of apparatus to which water, oil, spirits, steam, and other liquids or luids are conducted through such conduitpipes by pumps or injectors.

It is often very difficult, if not impossible, to determine whether the pump, injector, or other contrivance which moves the liquid or fluid is working properly.

The object of my invention is to provide a ready means whereby the operation of the pump or other impelling apparatus or the pas sage of the liquid or fluid through the conduitpipe can be observed at a glance.

My invention consists to that end in combining with the check-valve an indicator which is set in motion by the check-valve, and which is inclosed in a transparent case or chamber so combined with the passage in which the check-valve is arranged that the transparent chamber can he kept filled with a transparent liquid of heavier specific gravity than the liquid which passes through the conduit in which the check-valve is arranged, thereby renderingthe movements of the check-valve indicator visible when the liquid passing through the conduit is not transparent; also, of such a construction ofthe indicator that its movement is greater than thatot' the valve, whereby a slight movement of the valve is rendered clearly visible; also, of certain details of construction of the indicator, as will be hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation ofa check-valve provided with my improvement. Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section in line x a', Fig. 2, showing the parts separated. Fig. et is a perspective view of the indicator and the plate to which it is pivoted.

(No model.)

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the casing of a check-valve 5 B, the valve 5 b, the valve-seat; G, the inlet-pipe,

and D the outlet-pipe. The upper portion of the valveis provided with ribs or Win gs f, which slide in a cylindrical recess in the upper portion ot the valve-casing, and whereby the valve is guided as it rises and falls.

g represents a stem which depends from` the under side of the valve and projects into a chamber, G, which is secured to the lower sidc of the valve-casing.

H represents an indicator-arm, which is arranged in a transparent case or chamber, I, and which is set in motion by the check-valve. The case I is composed of a glass tube, i, and a slotted metallic tube,j, which surrounds the glass tube, and which is closed at its outer end and provided at its inner end with a screwthread, k, by means of which it is secured in an opening, K, formed in the side ofthe chamber G.

The indicator-arm H is pivoted to a plate, L, and composed of a short arm, h, which bears against the end of the valve-stern g, and a long arm, h', which is surrounded by the glass tube t. The plate L, to which the indicator H is pivoted, is placed against a shoulder or offset, l, which surrounds the opening K in the chamber G at the bottom of the threaded collar 7c thereof.

, m represents a washer, of cork, rubber, or other suitable packing-material, which is in terposed between the inner end of the glass tube i and the plate L, and n is a packing-disk, of similar material, interposed between the outer end of the giass tube i ,and the closed outer end of the slotted metallic tube j. By securing the latter hometightjoints are formed at both ends of the glass tube.

The plate L is provided with a notch or opening, o, which fits over a projection,p,ron the scat lof the plate, whereby the plate is secured in its proper position against turning.

As the valve rises and falls the short end h of the indicator H takes part in the movements ofthe valve, as it is held against the under side of the valvestem g by the overhan ging weight of the long arm of the indicator. The move- IOO ments of the valve-stem are rendered visible in an-increased ratio at the end of the long arm of the indicator, whereby even a very slight movement of the valve-such as occurs, for instance, in the check-valves of lubricators-is easily distinguished. The transparent chamber I communicates with the interior of the valve-chamber.

It' the liquid or fluid which passes through the valve-chamber is sufiiciently transparent to render the indicator visible, such liquid or fiuid may he permitted to fill the transparent chamber.- It such liquid or fluid is not transparent, the chamber I should be filled with a transparent liquid ot' greater specific gravity, which will exclude the non-transparent liquid or fluid from the chamber I. For instance, if oil is pumped through the valve-chamber, the chamber I maybe filled with water, which, by reason of its greater specific gravity, will prevent the oil from entering the chamber I and obscuring the indicator.

' By observing the length of the arc through which the indicator moves the extent of the movement ot' the valve and the quantity of liquid passing through the conduits are easily ascertained.

A graduated arc may be arranged in the glass tube for the purpose of determining with exactness the distance through which the indicator moves.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, with a check-valve, of au indicator, means whereby an increased inotion is imparted to the indicator, and a transparent case which iucloses the indicator and renders its movements visible, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a check-valve provided with a stem, g, ofthe pivoted indicator H, composed of a short armand a long arm, a chamber, G, inclosing the stem g of the valve and the short arm of the indicator, and a transparent chamber, I, inclosing the long arm of the indicator, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the pivoted indicator H, of the chamber G, pivot-plate L, glass tube t', inclosing-tube j, washer m, and pack ing-disk a, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination, with the pivoted indicator H and transparent casing I, of the chamber G, provided with projection p, and pivotplate L, having a notch,0, substantially as set f'orth.

5. The combination, with a check-valve, B, of an indicator set in motion by the checkvalve and a transparent case which-incloses the indicator, and which communicates with Vthe chamber in which the check-valve is arber, and thus render the movements of the indicator visible, substantially as set forth.

EDWARD G. FELTHOUSEN. Vituesses:

JNo. J. BoNNER, EDW. J. BRADY. 

